The National tribune., 1887-07-14
GROVER CLEVELAND.
ST. Lorrs. No Feb. d. lss1-

ST. LoUIs, No, Feb %, 1887.
Grover Cepeland. President Of the United States
SIR; The National EncampmenI Of the Grand
Army of the Republic will be held in this city dur
ing September next from the 2sih TO the 3Dh incu-
sige. IL promises To be the largest gathering OF
veterans OF ile late war ever seen The Organiza-
ton never n 80 ffOurlsiIing condition and the
membership never 80 large as al the present time
II wall bc the first EuCampment located in A crty
near the center OF the country. aud the first ever
held ia n Southern State. Our people are sharing
effort to insure for the assemba,,e "a welcome, of
unusual warmth aud reception the most hos
pittble.
The undersigned are a committee appoiuied by
the General COMMITTEES on Arrangements for the
purpuse Of extending 10 your-elf aud your est eeu,i
wiie cordial aud urgent Invitation to be present
that occasion. and TO accept the hOspiiaiite- Of
the committee aud tho city. Every tN,rti,,n t,iIl
be made 10y our citizens. well l- iy the 10 90
veterans Then 10 Ice cOngreRAtod here, to render
yOur visit pleasant aud your stay interesting IL
d rumOrcd that you planning "A tour through
tine West aud South. and We sincerely hope Won
can make u convenient To toe in ~. Louis during
tile Time above mentioned. Allow us to Suggest
that no compliment more fitting could Toe b,.,tVyed
gu the valiant defenders Of "a cuunau c,,tintr re
by tlie Chief Executive oi a restored Union and
hone would Toe more highly appreciated than thai
Conferred by his presence at such "A time aud place.
Awaiting your favorable response, we have the
houor 10 br' cir yours respectfully,
DAVID ~ FRANCIS
Mayor of tlie city 81 ~ Louis
FRANK GAIENsIE
PRESIDENT OF The Merchants Exchange
JoHK W. NoHLE
Commander Frank II. Blair Post, No l. GAR
Ill
EXECUTIVE MASsIos. wAsHIxGros.
July 4 lss7. /
10 Datid r. Fancis Mayor Of re cify Of Al Jo,,i.
Frank GaieHHie. I'ressdeni of n,s Merchants ~.
cl.asgs and John ". Noble Commander Era.E -
bar Poa. No. 1, G.A.R.. Coamillee
GEETIEnEs; While 1 have hitherto made no
formal response 10 your invitation given In FebTu
AIRY last 10 myself and Mrs. Cleveland 10 attend tb.
National Encampment of the Grand ARMY ~ th.
Republic, 90 be held in 81. Louis from tie 9-tb "a
the 3Jth Of September next, hnvc verbally indi
called my purpose To accept IL II ! should find n
possible laen io le absent from Washington
The statements contained in Your letter that The
organization wa- never in fouTishing "A condi-
uon AZ nov, hOr it's membership 80 large: that no
eicu If being spared by the citizens of 81 Ioui. TO
Insure al welcome of unusual warmth nj iii. a..
southern state. aud your suggestion That no
compliment more Hitting could be brrtowed unop
the valiant defenders of a common country by tbr
Chlel ENecniive OF "A restored Union and non.
would be more highly appreciated than that con
ieffed 10y his preseacc Rt such "A time aud plare
enlisted my feeling and interest More recentiv
Indications have been disclosed that however cor.
fecily you expressed the prevailing sentiment of
lhe Grand Army, there are meinbers and some
Posts al that body entertaining different E.elings
in respect 20 nay attendance and that my ncceutanc
OF your Invitation would lead to di-cord la IA.
organization as well Interruption of oortiialitv
ai tle coming Encampmcnt.
Without entering into "a discussion Of these onio
ions and unmoved by any feeling although 4
deeply regret the condition can hut repnr1 M ms,
80 undesirable result. Nolhing eau Toe of greatrr
Importance In connection with the Fncatnt,,u,nt
than the free and unrestrained manifestation Nv
'is participants Of that patriotic fraternity Of feel